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A Late Arrival; [Showdown 29 - RP 2]
Topic Started: Jun 14 2008, 07:04 AM (65 Views)
Night
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sVo Legend
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
Driver: Here you are, sir. Sheraton Porto Alegre Hotel.

Peering out the window of the company provided limousine I catch sight of a looming tower approaching quickly. From somewhere above, a rich bluish-purple light shimmers down the face of the building accentuating its gentle curve and leaving one side bathed entirely in darkness by contrast.

The limousine itself is unfamiliar to me, although offered to most sVo mainstays for the duration of our world tour, I have, until this point declined each offer made to me. In all honesty they make me uncomfortable, bathing an entrance in, in my case, unwanted glamour and attention. I prefer to remain low key - as low key as a man wearing a mask of the night sky can remain.

You would be surprised how little people actually pay attention to those around them on public transport.

Or perhaps they chose to avoid the strange, masked foreigner sitting quietly among them.

Regardless, on this occasion sVo Front Office were most insistent on me accepting this ride. And on this occasion, after a few difficult weeks, I perhaps felt inclined to go along with their insistence and accept.

So here I am.

And here we are.

As we pull up to the colorfully lit main entrance an immaculately dressed concierge appears at the door and promptly opens it.


Concierge: Welcome to the Sheraton Hotel, Porto Alegre.

I step from the comfortable darkness of the limousine into the gaudy, but warm, light. It's a warm night outside and a quick glance up reveals an abundance of stars. I take a moment to enjoy a warm breeze and notice the concierge slightly taken aback by my appearance.

I can hardly say I blame him. I imagine I am far from the image of the typical guest arriving here in a long, black limousine. The mask on my face, my black sVo t-shirt and favorite baggy, ripped jeans. Behind me I carry my duffel bag - in which rests my greatest prize to date - the sVo International Championship.


Concierge: Uh... are you a guest here, sir?

Night: Yes. I'm just checking in. I'm with the sVo.

A dawning of realization reflects on the face of the man and he summons two bellboys over with a large golden trolley. They dart to the car smartly and immediately begin unloading my solitary suitcase and place it delicately on the trolley before rushing off.

I wave goodbye to the driver as the concierge ushers me into the reception area. As we enter, I am taken aback by the grand scale of the lobby. Several large potted plants thrive in various locations around the lobby and it is so well lit that it is impossible to tell that it is actually just after ten thirty at night.

The concierge indicates me towards a large counter where I am met by a pleasant and cheerful looking woman who appears to be in her twenties. She smiles warmly as I approach the counter. I feel disarmed and absent-mindedly drop my duffel bag at my side.

A spotless golden badge on her chest indicates her name is Isabel.


Isabel: Hello, sir, and welcome to the Sheraton Porto Alegre. Are you checking in?

I nod in response.

Isabel: That's fine, sir, could I have the booking name?

Night: Akumu Miyamoto.

My voice trails off softly. I'm conflicted, it's been a difficult few weeks, but in this moment I seem almost content in my surroundings.

Isabel: Welcome Mr Miyamoto, I'll just check your details. Where are you in from today? Ireland like the others from your party?

Night: No, I've just come from Mexico.

Isabel: Mexico? May I ask if it was for business or personal matters, sir?

Night: I was visiting a friend. We're back there next week for business.

Voice: It's about time you arrived, Akumu.

Hearing my real name from an unknown voice I turn my head seeking the speaker. With relief, I cast my eyes on a familiar face. My mentor, my trainer, Akira Kimura.

With a great feeling of security in the old man's presence I bow respectfully. He returns my gesture before pulling me into a fatherly hug. Feebly I return his gesture until finally he releases me. He regards me with the attention of a doting parent.


Akira Kimura: So where's your shiny new prize, Akumu?

Night: In my bag, master, you know me.

Master Kimura laughs heartily. As pleased as I am to see him, I would prefer to be much lower-key than he is now making both of us. Regardless, he is my mentor and I will respect him.

Akira Kimura: No, it's not like you to show off, is it now?

He winks cheerfully at me before turning to Isabel.

Akira Kimura: Excuse me, pretty lady, you probably wouldn't know because he won't say anything, but this man here is a big star! The International Champion!

He cackles happily.

Akira Kimura: ... AND I TRAINED HIM!

He beams proudly, and if I were not wearing a mask, everyone would see that I am a scarlet shade of red. Mercifully, Isabel is good spirited and smiles at Master Kimura, clearly amused.

Isabel: Well they say greatness rubs off. Your room is ready, Mr Miyamoto, enjoy your stay and good luck on... your show is on Sunday right?

Akira Kimura: You're right on two levels there...

He peers at her name tag.

Akira Kimura: ... Isabel. It is Sunday and it is...

Master Kimura points triumphantly at me, I look around surveying how big a scene he is creating. Thankfully, everyone is still going about his business.

Akira Kimura: ... HIS SHOW! THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMPION IS BACK IN THE MAIN EVENT!

Casting my eyes downwards, I politely snatch the swipe card from Isabel's hand. She grins at me as I do and Master Kimura walks behind me, massaging my shoulders in some mock fight entrance.

As soon as we are around the corner, near the elevator banks, I am stunned as Master Kimura's entire demeanor transforms in front of me. Gone is any trace of the elated grandeur and, while I still see a world of pride in his eyes, I see a genuine concern.


Akira Kimura: How are you, Akumu?

Night: I am... fine, master.

DING.

One of the elevator doors swings open and we step through. Surveying my keycard I see that I am in room 1605 - I swipe the card and press '16'.

Akira Kimura: I'm sorry I couldn't get to you sooner, Akumu. I wanted to be there to congratulate you in person at Redemption, but my commitments to the Dojo...

Night: I understand that...

Akira Kimura: You are growing up so fast, Akumu. You have achieved so much and you are still so young. But I still feel that you need guidance if you are to achieve your potential. I have tried to be there whenever you would need me the most - but unfortunately I couldn't be there in Scotland.

The mention of the location of my great loss darkens my expression. As the elevator doors slide open, now on the sixteenth floor, I stride out, ahead of my master.

Night: No offense, master, but your not being there was not my greatest concern in Scotland.

Akira Kimura: None taken - but after your loss...

Again I turn from him, searching the corridors for my room.

Akira Kimura: ... after your loss I should have been there for you. And I wasn't. I excused myself from the Dojo, my brother Shoji is looking in for me. I flew straight to Ireland and waited for you - but you never arrived. So I flew out here with the rest of the sVo and waited.

Finally finding the room, I swipe the card and open the door. I step through and, with a sigh, hold the door open. After a moment's hesitation, the old man enters the room and wastes no time in grabbing a beer from the mini-bar and finding the most comfortable lounge.

Night: I was in Mexico.

Akira Kimura: Visiting Elijah. I know - he called me on Monday.

Night: I just needed to get away.

Akira Kimura: From what?

Night: From myself. I let myself down. Retribution was the greatest night of my life. I defeated Isaac White for the sVo International Championship and later that same night pinned two members of Team All-Star - including the match wining pinfall. But then one week later, when everything was on the line, I failed! I got knocked out... beaten.

The shame of my defeat weighs me down heavily.

Night: In the end Travis Williams and Alex Ross only had to fight over who would pin me and now, Alex Ross finds himself challenging for the World Championship.

Master Kimura grins at me, knowingly.

Akira Kimura: I think someone has his first case of 'gold fever'.

Night: What?

Akira Kimura: Don't worry, Akumu, we've all been there.

Night: I do not.

Akira Kimura: I know. I was just trying to lighten the mood.

Night: I've grown so much from the last time that I challenged Stevo for the title. I just thought this might have been my time.

Akira Kimura: Well Akumu, you must remember that everything happens for a reason. You are a great wrestler and it is your destiny to one day be World Champion. That much is clear. When it is your time, you will know. You will have your chance.

Those words coming from the reassuring voice of my mentor comforts me somewhat, and finally I can focus on the task ahead of me. As if reading my mind, Master Kimura speaks again.

Akira Kimura: Are you ready for tomorrow?

Solemnly I nod my head in the affirmative.

Akira Kimura: Why so grim?

Night: Not grim, determined. I've been training with Elijah in Mexico since my defeat so I definitely feel that I'm mentally prepared. Physically I'm recovering, but Redemption took its toll on me.

Akira Kimura: You have your work cut out for you.

Night: That I do. Howie is a great competitor. We've met before in the ring, but never one-on-one. Each time we've met he's pushed me to the absolute limit. Each match has been a war and I expect no less out of him.

My mentor surveys me thoughtfully, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

Akira Kimura Do you think you'll win?

Night: Yes. But we all believe we will win, otherwise we wouldn't be here. Week after week, I am dismissed as 'just a dreamer' but we are all dreamers, otherwise wouldn't be here. This week Howie and I find ourselves in very different, but similar situations. We both fight coming away from disappointment. Howie's broken heart in Italy, my broken dream in Scotland. We both come to Brazil as accomplished fighters with nothing to lose and everything to prove.

Standing I instinctively move to the window and begin to wind up the blinds.

Night: So to answer your question, master, yes - I believe I will win. But it's much more than that - we both need to win. Tomorrow will prove very interesting indeed.

The blinds now open I am stunned by the beautiful view of the ocean in the distance as lights glimmer off its surface reflected from the lights of the city.

Night: It's a beautiful night out there. Feel like exploring the city, master?

Akira Kimura: I've been exploring it all week while I waited for you to show up! So how about I show you around.

Night: Sounds like a plan, lets go.

Akira Kimura: And perhaps when we go past reception you can see what time Isabel finishes work - maybe she can show you around too...

Night: Did you talk like this to Elijah?

Akira Kimura: Constantly.

With another chuckle, the old man hustles me out of the room and back towards the elevator bank. Watch out Porto Alegre, there's no telling what an Akira Kimura tour will have in store...

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